Container and blanks for making same



June 13, 1967 M T. FARQUHAR 3,324,999

CONTAINER AND BLANKS FOR MAKING sAME" Filed Oct. 23, 1965 v 3Sheets-Sheet l I IN'VENTOR. MELVILLE T. FARQUHAR HIS ATTQRNEY$ I June13, 1967 M. T. FARQUHAR 3,324,999

CONTAINER AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23,1965 INVENTOR. ME LVILLE T. FARQUHAR HIS ATTORNEYS June 13, 1967 M. T.FARQUHAR CONTAINER AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME Filed Oct. 23, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORi R A H U Q m F P w} m $7 V N R m AM 8 UnitedStates Patent aware Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,180 17 Claims.(Cl. 206-46) This invention pertains to receptacles and moreparticularly to receptacles adapted for storing, transporting, andproviding serving tray means for dish-like containers.

Current receptacles or containers used to package articles, for example,frozen food articles such as pre-cooked dinners served at home or of thetype normally served by the airlines are normally discarded once thedinner container is removed. The dinner container is usuallycompartmented and of a dish-like configuration and after heating orcooking, as the case may be, it is necessary to provide a separateserving tray for such container.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a receptacleof simple and economical construction which is adapted for storing,transporting and displaying articles as well as utilizing suchreceptacle as tray means for such articles.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a receptacle havingsupport means for suspending a dish-like container in such a manner asto provide an insulating air space between the receptacle and thedish-like container.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a receptacle havingeasily opened access means for easy removal of its contents yet adaptedfor simple reclosure to provide additional structural stability to theempty receptacle upon using it as tray means for its previously enclosedcontents.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a receptacle having tearmeans in a wall thereof which defines as opening for receiving adish-like container or the like which is to be supported thereon.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a receptacle havingidentification, instruction, and advertising means arranged within thearea defined by the previously mentioned tear means such that upontearing such tear means for utilization of the receptacle as a servingtray such means arranged within the tear area is out of sight of a userof such a receptacle.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedreceptacle having one or more of the novel features of this invention asset forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved receptacleblanks for such a receptacle or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved receptacle of thisinvention particularly illustrating a dishlike container carried thereinpartially removed and showing X-shaped perforation means in the top wallof such receptacle defining opening means.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle of FIGURE 1 in whichthe dish-like container carried therein has been removed from within anda serving tray has been formed by tearing the top Wall of suchreceptacle along the X-shaped perforation to define four foldable flapswhich provide an opening upon being suitably folded inwardly about theirrespective score means and to further define a supporting ledge adjacentthe opening thus provided.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the dishlike container of FIGURE1 being supported on the serving tray shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of FIGURE 1 showing, insolid lines, the position of the dish-like container in such receptacleand particularly showing the projection means of such dish-likecontainer.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 showing thedish-like container, in solid lines, being supported on the supportingledge defined upon tearing the top wall of such receptacle and foldingit inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank used to make the receptacleillustrated in FIGURE 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafterilllustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for storing,transporting, and providing serving tray means for food articles, forexample, a complete dinner, it is to be understood that the variousfeatures of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combinationthereof to provide receptacles for other articles as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURES1-6, an improved receptacle of this invention is illustrated, as well asimproved blank, shown in FIGURE 6, for making such receptacle.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a receptacle 10 for a dish-like containeror dish 11 is illustrated. Receptacle 10 is used to contain such dishduring transportation, storage, and the like as well as provide traymeans such as a serving tray for the dish. Reclosable access means isprovided in the receptacle for easy insertion and removal of dish 11.The receptacle has tear means in a wall thereof which upon tearingtherealong, after removal of dish 11, provides an opening receiving thelower end portion of the dish and defines a supporting ledge adjacentthe opening for supporting such dish. In this example the ledge suspendsdish 11 in spaced relation from the lower wall and the vertical walls ofthe receptacle by engaging a peripheral projection 12 in such dish. Theair space thus provided between receptacle 10 and dish 11 providesthermal insulation.

Receptacle 10 has bottom Wall means shown as a gen erally rectangularbottom wall 13 and top wall means shown as a generally rectangular topwall 14 spaced apart therefrom in parallel relation. Side wall meansshown as a pair of opposed end walls 15 and 16 and a pair of opposedside walls 18 and 19 are fastened to the top and bottom walls to definea closed receptacle in the shape of a parallelepiped.

End walls 15 and 16 provide access means for receptacle 10. Each endwall 15 and 16 has a reclosable fi-ap shown respectively as flap 15A and16A which opens outwardly to permit removal of dish 11. Upon removal ofdish 11, the end wall from which it is removed, shown as end wall 15 inthe exemplary illustration of FIGURE 1, folds normal to the bottom andtop walls 13 and 14 and the closing flap 15A folds within receptacle 10coplanar with bottom wall 13.

It will be seen that upon removing dish 11 from receptacle 10 andreclosing the end wall from which it was removed, receptacle 10 isprovided added strength and rigidity. This feature assures that uponplacing the dish 11 on the serving tray therefor formed from receptacle10, as will be presently described, such serving tray provides adequatesupport.

Tear means shown as an X-shaped perforation 17 is provided in top wall14 as particularly illustrated in FIG- URE 1. It will be seen that upontearing along such X-shaped perforation 17, flap means shown as fourfoldable flaps 20A-D are provided as shown in FIGURE 2 defining openingmeans or an opening 17A in top wall 14 for receiving the lower endportion of dish-like container 11. It will be seen from FIGURE 3 thatdish 11 is inserted in the opening thus provided with the top portionthereof open for easy accessibility to the contents of dish 11.

Upon tearing along the X-shaped perforation 17 in top wall 20 andfolding flaps 20A-D inwardly the remaining portion of top wall adjacentopening 17A provides support means shown as supporting ledge 21 forsupporting dish 11. Supporting ledge 21 extends completely around topwall 14 of receptacle 10.

The peripheral projection means or lip 12 of dish 11 engages supportingledge 21 and suspends such. dish in spaced relation from bottom wall 13of receptacle 10. Except for the contact of lip 12 on ledge 21, dish 11is also suspended with an air space between it and receptacle walls 15,16, 18, and 19. This spacing is illustrated in FIGURE between dish 11and receptacle side walls 18 and 19 and although not shown in detail isalso provided between such dish and receptacle end walls and 16. Inusing receptacle 10 as a serving tray for a hot food dish, for example,the thermal insulation provided by the air space assures the food iskept warm for a maximum time while providing protection from the hotdish 11.

Top wall 14 has first and second score means therein spaced inwardlyfrom the outer peripheral edges of such top wall. Upon tearing alongX-shaped perforation 17 and folding the flaps 20 A--D thus defined aboutthe score means the supporting ledge 21 of controlled transversedimension is provided adjacent opening 17A and such ledge is alsosupported at its inner end portion as Will be discussed subsequently.

The first score means shown as a generally rectangular score line 22 isspaced inwardly from the outer periphery of top wall 14 and extendsaround the entire periphery thereof. The spacing from the outerperiphery of top wall 14 to rectangular score line 22 defines the widthof supporting ledge 21.

Second score means shown as a generally rectangular score line 23 isprovided in top wall 14. Score line 23 is symmetrically arranged withinrectangular score line 22 and spaced apart therefrom along each side bya distance equal to the spacing between the top wall 14 and the bottomwall 13 of receptacle 10.

Thus, it will be seen that upon tearing top wall 14 along X-shapedperforation 17, the four foldable triangular flaps 20A, 20B, 20C, and20D thus defined are each folded about their associated portions offirst and second score lines to define respectively four strip portionsshown as four vertical wall portions 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D. Each wall24A-D extends between top wall 14 and bottom wall 13 from the peripheralinner edge of ledge 21 to thereby provide better support and a morestable structure for supporting dish-like container 11. The free end ofeach triangular flap 2tlA-D is arranged on top of and coplanar withbottom wall 13 after folding about its associated portion of score line23 thereby assuring that each strip portion defining a vertical wall ismaintained in a vertical position.

As will be apparent particularly from FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawingsthe dimension of receptacle 10 normal to the opening in its top wall 14(i.e., the height of such receptacle) is larger than the distancebetween the lower end of dish 11 and its peripheral projection 12. Thisdimensioning assures upon suspending dish 11 on supporting ledge 21 thatthe bottom wall of such dish is held suspended above bottom wall 13.Similarly, each dimension across opening 17A provided in top wall 14measured along a line extending normal to opposite vertical sides ofreceptacle 10 is smaller than the corresponding dimension across dish 11and its peripheral projection 12 while being larger than thecorresponding dimension in the lower end portion of dish 11.

This dimensional relation assures that receptacle 10 is thermallyinsulated, as previously mentioned, at its bottom and sides by the airspace provided between it and dish 11.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings receptacle 10has arcuate cut means in the top wall 14 thereof illustrated in thisexample as four cuts 26A-D. Each cut 26 is preferably a small circularcut extending through a ninety degree are and is arranged in each cornerof rectangular score line 22 so that its terminal ends coincide with theadjoining sides of score line 22 defining such corner. Upon folding thetriangular flaps 20A-D about their respective score line portions 22 and23 note that arcuate cuts 26 define rounded corner inner edges insupporting ledge 21 providing greater tear resistance. It is appreciatedthat a sharp corner which is subjected to any stress such as the typewhich might occur upon suspending dish-like container 11 from supportingledge 21 would have a tendency to tear out the corner and weaken thesupporting ledge 21. The rounded cuts 26A-D assure that this possibilitywill not occur.

As explained previously the four flaps 20A-D are folded inwardly andtheir terminal end portions are arranged coplanar with bottom wall 13.If desired, any advertising means, identification of the contents of thereceptacle, instructions or the like are preferably placed on suchterminal end portions and hidden from view once a dish 11 is supportedon receptacle 10.

The receptacle 10 can be formed in any suitable manner and made from anysuitable foldable material. Itis preferably formed from the blank 30,illustrated in FIG- URE 6. Blank 30 is made of cardboard or the likehaving a side such as the exposed surface thereof laminated withmetallic foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil, or the like,suitably colored, embossed, imprinted, or remaining'plain, as desired.

Blank 30 is suitably cut and scored to define six generally rectangularouter walls which are foldably connected to define a parallelepiped.Blank 30 has a series of spaced apart parallel score lines 31, 32, 33,and 34 respectively defining the extent in one direction of wall 18, topwall 14, side wall 19, bottom wall 13, and an extension flap 35extending beyond score line 34.

A pair of spaced apart parallel score lines 40 and 41 in such blankcooperate with a pair of spaced apart cut lines 42 and 43 arrangedtransverse to and at opposite ends of the parallel score lines 40 and 41to thereby define end wall 15 with its closure flap 15A extending beyondscore line 40 at one end. Similarly, a pair of spaced apart parallel cutlines 44 and 45 cooperate with a pair of spaced apart cut lines 46 and47 arranged transverse to and at opposite ends of. score lines 44 and 45to define end wall 16 having an extension flap 16A extending beyond itsscore line 45.

It will be seen that receptacle 10 in the shape of a parallelepiped isformed from blank 39 by suitably folding bottom and top wall 13 and 14,end walls 15 and 16, and side walls 18 and 19 about their respectivescore lines and fastening flap 35 to side wall. 18 by any suitable meanssuch as glue or the like.

Accessmeans is provided into receptacle 10 upon assembling suchreceptacle from blank 30 by folding one of the end walls 15 or 16outwardly to remove the contents of the receptacle. It will be seen thateither end wall 15 or 16 may be opened in this manner and that it isrecloseable by inserting the closure flap 15A or 16A as the case may bewithin the receptacle and in contact with bottom wall 13. After havingremoved dish 11 from receptacle 10 the receptacle is provided greaterrigidity and stability with the closure flaps closed as described.

Tear means shown as an X-shaped perforation 17 is provided inrectangular top wall 14. The X-shaped perforation 17 is located with itscenter preferably coinciding with the center of top wall 14 and the openends thereof extending toward an associated corner in top wall 14. Upontearing along X-shaped perforation 17, opening 17A is provided in topwall 14-.

The first score line means or generally rectangular score line 22provided in top Wall 14 is symmetrically oriented in top wall 14 toprovide a portion of top wall material or ledge 21 between it andopening 17A provided upon tearing perforation 17. Score line 22 isspaced inwardly from the outer edges of rectangular top wall 14 andextends completely around the periphery of such top wall while engagingthe terminal ends of X-shaped perforation 17.

It will be seen that the generally triangular flaps 20A- D, defined upontearing along X-shaped perforation 17, are folded about their respectiveportions of score line 22 to define the inner edges of ledge 21.

Second score line 23 of rectangular outline is shown in the top wall 14arranged symmetrically within the first score means 22 and spaced aparttherefrom. The perpendicular distance between score lines 22 and 23 atcorresponding positions along any side thereof is equal to the height ofside walls 18 and 19. This spacing defines a strip of materialtherebetween such that upon folding flaps ZtlA-D about their associatedportions of rectangular score lines 22 and 23, an inner vertical wall isprovided extending downwardly from the peripheral inner edge ofsupporting ledge 21 to provide better support for dish 11. Similarly,the triangular terminal end portion of each of the roughly triangularflaps 20A-D is folded against the bottom wall 13 to assure that each ofthe vertical walls is maintained in a vertical position therebyproviding maximum support for ledge 21.

Arcuate cut means shown as four radius cuts 26AD are provided one ineach corner of the generally rectangular score line 22. Each cut 26coincides at its ends with the terminal end of each adjoining sidedefining the corner portion of the rectangular score means 22. Cuts26A-D define rounded corner edges having greater tear resistance.

The terms bottom wall, top wall, side wall, and end wall have beenutilized in this description and the appended claims merely to definethe position of the walls as shown in the drawings and for ease ofdescription. It is to be understood, however, that the particularnomenclature used is not controlling.

Thus, it is seen that a receptacle is provided particularly adapted forstoring and transporting container means as Well as providing a servingtray for such container means and which has features of providingthermal insulation between such receptacle and such container meanssupported thereon.

Further, this invention provides improved blanks for forming suchreceptacles or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle for a dish-like container comprising, access means insaid receptacle for inserting and removing said dish-like container,means for closing said access means to provide rigidity for saidreceptacle upon re moval of said dish-like container, tear means in saidre ceptacle defining opening means for receiving the lower portion ofsaid removed dish-like container therethrough for support thereon withthe upper portion of said dishlike container being exposed, and supportmeans in said receptacle for supporting said dish-like container,

2. A receptacle for dish-like container means having peripheralprojection means comprising, access means in said receptacle forinserting and removing said dish-like container means, means for closingsaid access means to provide rigidity for said receptacle upon removalof said dish-like container means, tear means in said receptacledefining openiru means for receiving the lower end portion of saidremoved dish-like container means therethrough with the upper portion ofsaid dish-like container means being exposed, and support means in saidreceptacle for said dish-like container means, said support means beingformed by folding the portion of said receptacle adjacent said tearmeans inwardly to define a supporting ledge adjacent said opening meansand with said peripheral projection means engaging said ledge.

3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 2 in which said receptacle has adimension normal to said opening larger than the distance between thelower end of said dishlike container means and its peripheral projectionmeans to thereby suspend said dish-like container means in spacedrelation from said receptacle with contact being made only by saidperipheral projection means engaging said supporting ledge.

4. A receptacle for a dish-like container having peripheral projectionmeans, said receptacle being adapted for storing said container andproviding a thermally insulated serving tray therefor comprising, bottomand top wall means in said receptacle, side Wall means in saidreceptacle cooperating with said bottom and top wall means to define aclosed receptacle, access means in said side wall means for placing saiddish-like container in and out of said receptacle, tear means in saidtop wall means providing opening means for receiving the lower portionof said dish-like container with the top portion thereof being exposed,and support means in said top wall means for supporting said peripheralprojection of said dish-like container, said support means in said topwall means cooperates with said peripheral projection means of saiddish-like container to thereby suspend such dish-like container inspaced relation from said bottom wall and side wall means of saidreceptacle to provide a serving tray for said dish-like container whilethermally insulating it from said receptacle.

5. A receptacle as set forth in claim 4 in which said tear meanscomprises X-shaped perforation means extending across the top wall meansof said receptacle such that upon tearing along said X-shapedperforation means four flaps are defined which are folded inwardly todefine said opening means in said top wall means for receiving saiddish-like container therethrough.

6. A container as set forth in claim 5 in which said top wall means hasscore means therein spaced inwardly from the outer edge thereof aroundits entire periphery, whereby upon tearing along said X-shapedperforation means the four flaps thus defined in said top wall arefolded about said score means to define said opening and said supportmeans adjacent thereto.

7. A receptacle as set forth in claim 6 in which said score meanscomprises first score means spaced inwardly from the outer edge of saidtop wall means around the entire periphery thereof to define asupporting ledge for said dish-like container and second score means insaid top wall means spaced inwardly from said first score means by adistance corresponding to the distance between said bottom and top wallmeans, whereby after tearing along said X-shaped perforation means eachof said flaps is folded about the portion of first and second scoremeans associated therewith to provide a vertical inner wall supportingthe inner edge of said ledge.

8. A receptacle for a dish-like container having peripheral projectionmeans said receptacle being adapted for storing said dish-like containerand providing an insulated serving tray therefor comprising, bottom andtop wall means in said receptacle, side wall means cooperating with saidbottom and top wall means to define a closed receptacle in which saidbottom and top wall means are held spaced apart in parallel relation,reclosable access means in said side Wall means for placing saiddish-like container in and out of said receptacle, such that uponremoving said dish-like container from said receptacle and reclosingsaid access means said receptacle is provided added strength andrigidity, first score means spaced inwardly from the outer periphery ofsaid top wall means and extending around the entire periphery thereof,second score means in said top wall means spaced inwardly from saidfirst score means by a distance corresponding to the perpendiculardistance between said bottom and top wall means and extending around theentire periphery of said top wall in spaced relation to thereby define astrip of uniform transverse dimension between each first and secondscore means, and generally X-shaped perforation means in said top wallmeans with the center thereof generally centrally located within saidscore means and extending across said second score means and with theterminal ends thereof in contact with said first score means, such thatupon tearing along said X-shaped perforation means four flaps aredefined which are foldable inwardly into said receptacle about theirassociated portion of first score means to define opening means in saidtop wall means for receiving the lower end portion of said dish-likecontainer therethrough and to further define a supporting ledge adjacentsaid opening means and between said first score means and the outerperiphery of said top wall means for cooperation with said peripheralprojection, said supporting ledge being provided vertical support at theinner edge thereof by said strip portion in each of said flaps uponfolding the free end of each of said fiaps about its associated portionof second score means.

9. A receptacle as set forth in claim 8 in which said free end of eachof said flaps is folded inwardly and arranged coplanar with said bottomwall assuring that said strip portion in each of said flaps ismaintained in a vertical position.

10. A receptacle as set forth in claim 8 in which said first score meansis of generally rectangular outline and arranged within the outerperiphery of said top wall means and said second score means is ofgenerally rectangular outline and arranged symmetrically within saidfirst score means and the center of said X-shaped perforation means iscentrally located within second score means and said X-shapedperforation extends across opposite corners in said first score meansthereby definingsaid four flaps which are triangular in shape.

11. A receptacle as set forth in claim 10 further comprising arcuate cutmeans in each corner of said generally rectangular first score meanscoinciding with the terminal end of each adjoining side defining saidcorner such that upon folding. each of said flaps about its associatedfirst score means said arcuate cut means defines rounded corner edgeshaving greater tear resistance.

12. A receptacle as set forth in claim 8 in which said side wall meanscomprises a pair of opposed end walls and said reclosable access meanscomprises closing flap means in each end wall which folds within saidreceptacle and coplanar with said bottom wall means.

13. A receptacle made from a single sheet of foldable material andadapted for storing and providing a serving tray for a dish-likecontainer having peripheral projection means comprising, bottom and topwall means in said receptacle spaced apart in parallel relation, sidewall means in said receptacle cooperating with said bottom and top wallmeans to define a closed receptacle, access means in said side wallmeans for placing said dish-like container in and out of saidreceptacle, X-shaped perforation means in said top wall means, such thatupon tearing along said X-shaped perforation means four foldable flapmeans are provided defining opening means for receiving the lowerportion of said dish-like container, generally rectangular first scoremeans in said top wall means spaced inwardly from the outer edges ofsaid top wall means and extending about said X-shaped perforation meanswith the terminal ends of said X-sh'aped perforation means engaging saidrectangular first score means such that upon folding said flap meansabout said first score means a supporting ledge is defined forcooperation with said peripheral projection means, and generallyrectangular second score means in said top wall means symmetricallyarranged within said first score means and spaced apart therefrom by adistance equal to the spacing between said top and bottom wall means,whereby upon folding each of said flaps about their associated portionsof said first and second score means vertical inner wall means isprovided extending downwardly from the peripheral edge of said openingmeans to provide better support for said dish-like container.

14. A receptacle as set forth in claim 13 in which said receptacle has adimension normal to said opening larger than the distance between thelower end of said dish-like container and its peripheral projectionmeans and the dimension across said opening means is smaller than thedimension across said peripheral projection means and larger than thatportion of said dish-like container below said peripheral projectionmeans, whereby said dish-like container is suspended on said ledge inspaced relation from said bottom Wall and side wall means of saidreceptacle.

15. .A blank for forming a receptacle for a dish-like container havingperipheral projection means, said blank being suitably cut and scored todefine, bottom and top wall means in said receptacle, side wall meanscooperating with said bottom and top wall means to define a closedreceptacle upon assembling said blank, access means in said side wallmeans for placing said dish-like container in and out of saidreceptacle, tear means in said top wall means providing opening meansfor receiving the lower portion of said dish-like container with the topportion thereof being exposed, and support means in said top wall meansfor supporting said peripheral projection of said dish-like container,said support means in said top wall means cooperating with saidperipheral projection means of said dish-like container to therebysuspend said dish-like container from the receptacle formed from saidblank to thereby suspend such dish-like container in spaced relationfrom said bottom wall and side wall means of said receptacle and providea serving tray for said dish-like container while insulating it fromsaid receptacle.

16. A blank for forming a receptacle for a dish-like container havingperipheral projection means said blank being suitably cut and scored todefine, bottom and top wall means in said receptacle, side wall meanscooperating with said bottom and top wall means to define a closedreceptacle upon assembling said blank, said side wall means including apair of opposed end walls, access means in said end walls comprisingclosing flap means in each end wall which folds within the receptacleformed from said blank and coplanar with said bottom wall means, firstscore means spaced inwardly from the outer periphery of said top wallmeans and extending around the entire periphery thereof, second scoremeans in said top wall means spaced inwardly from said first score meansby a distance corresponding to the perpendicular distance be tween saidbottom and top wall means in the assembled receptacle, said second scoremeans extending around the entire periphery of said top wall at saidinwardly spaced location to thereby define a strip portion of uniformtransverse dimension between each first and second score,

means, and generally X-shaped perforation means in said top wall meanswith the center thereof generally centrally located within said scoremeans and extending across said second score means and with the terminalends thereof in contact with said first score means, such that uponassembling said receptacle from said blank and tearing along saidX-shaped perforation means four flaps are defined which are foldableinwardly into said receptacle about their associated portions of firstand second score means to define opening means in said top wall meansfor receiving the lower end portion of said dish-like containertherethrough and to further define a supporting ledge adjacent saidopening means and between said first score means and the outer peripheryof said top wall means for cooperation with said peripheral projectionmeans, said supporting ledge being provided vertical support at theinner edge thereof by said strip portion in each of said flaps uponfolding the free end of each of said flaps about its associated portionof second score means and arranging such free end coplanar with saidbottom wall to thereby assure that said strip portion in each of saidflaps is maintained in a vertical position.

17. A blank for forming a receptacle for a dish-like container as setforth in claim 16 in which said receptacle is generally in the shape ofa parallelepiped with said top and bottom Wall means thereof being ofgenerally rectangular outline and in which said first score means is ofgenerally rectangular outline and arranged within the outer periphery ofsaid rectangular outline top wall means and said second score means isof generally rectangular outline and arranged symmetrically within saidfirst score means such that upon tearing along said X-shaped perforationmeans four flaps of generally triangular outline are defined which arefoldable inwardly about their respective associated score means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, PrimaryExaminer. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner.

1. A RECEPTACLE FOR A DISH-LIKE CONTAINER COMPRISING, ACCESS MEANS INSAID RECEPTACLE FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING SAID DISH-LIKE CONTAINER,MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID ACCESS MEANS TO PROVIDE RIGIDITY FOR SAIDRECEPTACLE UPON REMOVAL OF SAID DISH-LIKE CONTAINER, TEAR MEANS IN SAIDRECEPTACLE DEFINING OPENING MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE LOWER PORTION OFSAID REMOVED DISH-LIKE CONTAINER THERETHROUGH